Family Ties September, 2007

Dear Family,

Every since Nancy brought Whitney for her beginning school year at the "Y" , the end of August, and then all through the month of September, it has been one wonderful celebration after another. Susan's family traditionally come to the cabin over Labor Da, but this year, Susan came ahead of her family so that she could have more time with Nancy. Together, the four of us, decorated a really cute room for Whitney's new apartment.

On Sunday evening, September 2nd, most of our family met at the park in Highland which Jan had reserved. A "family" dinner was held in honor of our "Maine" family, who many had not seen for some years. Jared brought his girl friend, Tara, Janessa brought "T" and Trent his girl friend, Allie. The announcement was made of two more great granchildren to come; Jake and Jerica (their first) and Matt and Debbie (their fourth). Ready to go at any time was Missy with their third and Jenny with their first. (Missy had Boston John Canning on the 19th, while Jenny is still waiting, but the Dr. plans to induce labor today) Julie is expecting her fourth early November and Jeff and Natalie their first, at the end of that month.

Following this great celebration, I returned to St. George with the Madsen family and Susan and I flew to Boston on Wednesday, where we met with Nancy to spend the night and next day in seeing historical sites and "shopping". We had such fun together and when we got to Falmouth, Nancy's home, our fun continued as we helped decide the decorating for the boys rooms and since Jeff gave permission that we could totally redo the Laundry/Bathroom, we were in our heighth of glory as naturally, more shopping had to be done. (I think Jeff gave us an inch and we took a mile) Nancy is one who always takes time to play, a virtue which I admire, and we did see some of Maine's beautiful sites that only enhanced our time together.
It was hard to leave, but we decided we needed to make it an annual affair to get together.

Susan and my trip home found us in four different air terminals in our flight to Las Vegas , where we took the shuttle to St. George and I spent the night. Wade, Julie's husband, had obtained a buddy pass for me to Salt Lake and picking it up at his home, I saw the beautiful entertainment center his father had made for them. He is a professional in cabnitry making.

Ann was at the SL airport to pick me up and take me to her home where Johnny had left our car. Enroute home, I stopped by Murray High School to talk with Debbie and after reaching the cabin, found I had left a duffle bag at the airport that I had to return and pick up. That was a very long day in travel.

Dan had given his dad and brothers a fishing trip to Alaska., which they had been looking forward to the past year. Their only expense was airfare, all else was Dan's gift. They had left the Sunday while I was gone and would return the Sunday after my return on Thursday. The four of them stayed at the Silver King Lodge in which Dan has a financial interest. Their flight from Salt Lake to Seattle to Ketchican, was then continued by float plane to the lodge. It was hard for them to imagine over twice the size of Texas and much more beautiful that was purchased a hundred and forty years ago by foresighted men, for the price of $7, 200, 000, less than the price of our Timberlake community before houses were put on it. We fished every day in boats and tackle provided by our hosts. We brought home as much fish as we can consume for the next two year. Needless to say, Johnny being with his boys for a full week was a treasured once in a lifetime experience. They really had fun and returned with many fish stories. Dan presented his father and each of his brothers with a DVD record of their marvlous experience in Alaska.

On the Tuesday following his return, the book for our posterity we had worked so diligently on for the past two years, was completed and ready for pick-up. When we saw the final product we were pleased and hope that those receiving feel likewise.

If lives can reach a crescendo, ours surely did as we celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary, Sunday, September 23rd. To begin with, the gifts of love for one another came with a black pearl necklace/bracelet from Alaska for me and for him a "remembrance" quilt from T shirts of significant places we've been and beautifully quilted by Marsha Whitehead, a sister and friend in RS, who won both of our hearts in knowing the many hours and selfless service rendered in our behalf as a token of her friendship.

Before knowing it was our anniversary, Bishop Fuller had ask us to speak that day on the Temple and Family History, which was also my monthly RS lesson. All in all, it was a very busy day for both of us. Our subjects certainly fit the mood of the day. Not only were we were able to address the members of our ward, but also to speak to many of our children who attended our meetings.

Immediately following our meetings, the entire family assembled for family pictures. Joe Larkin graciously came from his home, giving up time with his family, in our behalf. After the pictures were taken, all of us met in the RS room for our Family Fireside. David's family had been assigned to sing "The Voyage", Dan's family to sing "True Love" (both songs favorites of ours), Susan led her family in her version of a eulogy, which she called "U-Googly" and Ed's family, greeting, MC and buffet. All of these assignments were made at the beginning of the year. For us, we would be presenting our books to our children and unbeknown to the family, Johnny had written a poem he felt impressed to write while serving in the Preston temple. At home, we put it to the music of F. J. Hayden and prepared to sing it at our 60th anniversary celebration.

We were humbled and overjoyed with how all had fulfilled their assignments. Everyone had gone the "extra mile". Ed took over as the MC and David/Jan and their children who are so musically talented, sang "The Voyage". Andrew had arranged it for them and with their voices blending so well together, it couldn't have been a better start. Some of the words to the song are: "Life is the ocean, Love is the boat, in troubled waters, it keeps us afloat. When we started the voyage, there was just me and you, now gathered round us, we have our own crew".
Susan with her talents and that of her families, put together a wonderful video tape depicting the seasons of our lives--spring, summer, fall and winter. She incorporated with poetry everyone of our posterity and had all perform, from children, (even Nancy from Maine) , grandchildren to great grandchildren in one of the seasons. What a choice remembrance...we laughed, cried and felt family love in the great life we have enjoyed in every season. To top it off, she gave us a hanging quilt depicting each of these seasons which we now have hanging in a prominent place in the cabin. Dan and Ann did a great job in incorporating the song "True Love" in one of the seasons. In our opinion, their voices surpassed Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly. At the end of the fireside, Johnny presented our book to each of our children and then we sang our hymn, "Hymn of Praise", as mentioned above. We were presented an exquisite Lladro statue of "The Christus"from the family. Tyler, who is serving a mission in Spain, home of Lladro, obtained this for the family and will be a constant reminder of this climatic day.

Now we were all ready and did enjoy the delicious buffet food Debbie had displayed so beautifully with the food each had been assigned to bring. Our evening ended with love, gratitude and joy with the knowledge that we are truly a "Forever Family".